BLOG #3 - HALEL ADIMNIKEM- GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

 Global Citizenship 

The Yoruba people of West Africa have a saying: ‘A single tree does not make a forest.’ I believe this proverb perfectly encapsulates what it means to be a global citizen. Just as a forest is made up of many different trees and wildlife, our understanding of the world is shaped by many different cultures and perspectives. A single experience cannot provide a complete understanding of the world. 

In my opinion, a global citizen is someone who not only possesses knowledge of different people, cultures and issues, but also has a genuine passion for learning about them. I believe Global citizenship is not set in stone, but a continuous process of curiosity and growth by engaging with the developing world around us. 

I would like to consider myself a global citizen because I am constantly seeking to understand and learn from other people whose experiences differ from my own. Having lived in both the United States and Nigeria (both countries are massive boiling pots of multiple cultures), and also having the opportunity to study abroad with this class, I have learned to appreciate that every culture has beautiful perspectives to show, and lessons to learn from. I had this epiphany during the short train ride from Strasbourg to Freiburg. Although the two cities are geographically close, they have different histories and cultural identities. That experience reminded me that even places separated a few miles can offer entirely different perspectives on life. Being a global citizen emerges when we remain open to new ideas and are willing to learn from the experiences of others. 

As a global citizen, I believe my responsibility goes beyond learning about other cultures. It also involves approaching the world with humility and recognizing that we all build off each other. The experiences I have had throughout this trip have reinforced the importance of embracing perspectives beyond my own. In doing so, I continue to grow not only as a student, but also as a citizen of the world. 

 

Comments

  1. Macy BayerJune 1, 2026 at 12:39 AM

    Hi Halel!

    Well said. To be a global citizen, I agree that it takes a true passion for wanting to learn more about the world that surrounds you. As I mentioned in my blog post, being a global citizen is like learning a new language in that it requires prioritization and intentional daily practice until it becomes natural and intuitive over time.

    Not only do I think global citizenship involves being knowledgeable about current events and different cultures, but I also believe that it means taking action for the betterment of the world. This relates to your point about showing humility, although in a different way. I agree that in order to fully understand another culture and environment, we must eliminate our own biases and egocentrism. However, we must also turn inward and see how our own behaviors and habits affect the environment. I encourage you to embrace this perspective as well as those you have taken away from this trip. Keep up the great work!

    - Macy Bayer

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